Is SQRFT a rental platform, or does it also list homes for sale?

SQRFT is a rental-only platform. Searches like "apartments for sale St. John's" describe buying a home, a different market with different listings, financing, and legal process than renting. Every listing on SQRFT is a rental unit.

How much notice does my landlord need to give to raise my rent in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Newfoundland and Labrador requires landlords to give at least 180 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect -- one of the longest notice periods in the country. Always confirm the current rule against the province's own published guidance before treating any figure as final.

How does a security deposit work in St. John's?

Newfoundland and Labrador landlords can collect a security deposit of up to 0.75 of one month's rent. At the end of the tenancy, the landlord has 10 days to return the deposit or apply to keep some or all of it. A written condition report at move-in and move-out is the strongest evidence if a deposit dispute arises later.

Can my landlord evict me just to move in themselves?

Newfoundland and Labrador is unusual among Canadian provinces in not permitting an own-use eviction -- a landlord generally cannot end your tenancy simply because they or a family member want to move into the unit. Always confirm the current rule against the province's own published guidance, since this is a distinctive protection not every renter expects.

How do I dispute my landlord in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Newfoundland and Labrador's landlord-tenant disputes are decided by a Director appointed under the Residential Tenancies Act. Bring your tenancy agreement, all written correspondence, photos or your condition report, and any notices you received or served.

How much notice do I get if my landlord wants to end my tenancy?

For a periodic month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give at least 90 days' notice. For a fixed-term lease, a tenant generally needs to give at least 60 days' notice before the term's end date if they don't intend to renew.

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada

Rentals St. John's: Renting in St. John's in 2026

Real neighbourhoods, real answers. The SQRFT guide for renters and landlords navigating North America's most easterly city.

Browse St. John's rentals

Population

114,688

StatCan, 2021 Census

Rent increase notice

180 days

Province of NL

Security deposit cap

0.75 month's rent

Province of NL

Own-use eviction

Not permitted

Province of NL

FFrancis, SQRFT TeamCanadian Rental Market Analysts, SQRFT Editorial Team Updated September 21, 2026 8 min read

Section 1

What St. John's rents look like in mid-2026

St. John's is Newfoundland and Labrador's capital and by far its largest city, home to just over 114,000 people in the 2021 Census and anchoring a metro area that includes Mount Pearl and the surrounding Avalon Peninsula communities. Its rental market is shaped heavily by two forces: Memorial University's roughly 17,000 students, and the boom-and-bust cycles of the offshore oil sector (Hibernia, Hebron).

SQRFT could not confirm a St. John's-specific CMHC average-rent or vacancy dollar figure from a live source at build time. Rather than publish an unconfirmed number, this page will be updated with the exact CMHC figures once independently verified.

Section 2

Where St. John's renters live: the neighbourhood guide

St. John's core neighbourhoods cluster around downtown and the historic harbour, with Mount Pearl as its own adjacent municipality.

Downtown

Renting in Downtown, St. John's.

Rabbittown

Renting in Rabbittown, St. John's.

Churchill Square

Renting in Churchill Square, St. John's.

Mount Pearl, immediately southwest of downtown, is its own separate municipality within the St. John's metro area with its own distinct rental listings.

Section 3

Who works in St. John's

St. John's economy runs on a mix of higher education, public administration, and offshore energy.

•
Memorial University of Newfoundland
•
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
•
Eastern Health
•
offshore oil sector (Hibernia, Hebron)

Because so much of St. John's workforce is tied to Memorial University's academic calendar and the offshore sector's project cycles, rental demand here can move differently than in a typical mainland city -- expect a real leasing rush around the September academic year, and watch oil-sector employment news as a leading indicator of rental demand more broadly.

Section 4

St. John's schools and Memorial University

The public school board

Newfoundland and Labrador English School District

NLESD

Serves St. John's and the surrounding Avalon Peninsula with designated schools plus alternative and specialized programs.

Post-secondary

Memorial University of Newfoundland

~17,000 students

MUN

Students concentrate in neighbourhoods within walking or short-transit distance of the MUN campus.

Section 5

St. John's events, culture, and why people love it here

St. John's calendar runs from the George Street Festival to the historic Royal St. John's Regatta, all set against Signal Hill and the colourful row houses along the harbour.

George Street Festival

late July-early August

A signature St. John's event drawing crowds citywide.

Royal St. John's Regatta

August (weather-dependent)

A signature St. John's event drawing crowds citywide.

Section 6

Renting in St. John's: Newfoundland and Labrador tenancy law essentials

These rules apply to every St. John's rental, set out in the Residential Tenancies Act and decided by a Director appointed under it. Bookmark this section.

The common rule of thumb is 30 percent of gross monthly income on housing (rent plus utilities). St. John's rental market is shaped heavily by Memorial University's student population and the offshore oil sector's cycles, so budget with some room for seasonal swings.

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